What is Flu?

Flu is a nasty virus that can really knock you for six and leave you lying in bed for a good few days. One of the best ways to prevent yourself from contracting the virus is to have a flu vaccination every year. However, if you don’t, what can you do to help yourself from contracting flu, how long does it last and what are the symptoms to look out for?

Commonly referred to as the flu, it is a contagious respiratory infection that affects the throat, nose and lungs. Flu can vary from mild to severe and when people fall unwell with influenza, they can experience the following symptoms:

Feeling feverish, whether with a fever or not.

Feeling chills.

Sore throat.

Cough.

Blocked or runny nose.

Aching in the muscles.

Headache.

How does it spread between people?

Scientists believe that the flu mainly spreads via droplets in the air from infected individuals coughing, sneezing or even just talking. The tiny droplets can land in the nose and mouth of nearby people and this is how those people become infected. Sometimes people can catch the flu just by touching an item or surface that still has the virus living on it. If they then touch their nose, mouth or eyes, the virus gets into their system. Scientists are still working hard to find a cure for this virus. Trials are always looking for volunteers. For more information on Paid Clinical Trials, visit https://www.trials4us.co.uk

How long will someone have the flu?

Flu can be a highly unpleasant experience but thankfully, people will often get over it completely within one to two weeks. Healthy adults will enter the contagious period approximately one day before their symptoms appear, which is annoying as you don’t know you’ve got it then and can’t prevent possible spreading. An adult will stay contagious for five to seven days after the first symptoms appear. Those with weakened immune systems and young children could be contagious for a longer time.